I didn't sleep. The truth is- I don't sleep.

How could I? Every time I close my eyes, I hear his voice in my head- "Rabbit with donkey brain". The words played on repeat like a broken record I couldn't turn off.

I stood by the window and watched the sun come up. The city looked peaceful from here, like nothing bad ever happened.

But I know better now. I know what people really think when they smile at you.

Evan stirred behind me. I hear the sheets rustle, then his footsteps on the hardwood floor.

"Babe? You're up early."

I turn around and plaster on a smile. The same smile I'd given him for ten years in my first life. Sweet. Trusting. Stupid.

"Couldn't sleep. I was thinking about you."

His face lit up. God, he actually believed it.

"Yeah? Good things, I hope." He wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed my neck. His hands started wandering lower.

I wanted to shove him off. I wanted to scream. Instead, I leaned into him and giggled.

"Always good things."

A click- She's so easy. Just a few kisses and she melts. Thank God she's not like those high-maintenance girls. He thinks

I keep smiling even though my stomach turn. This is going to be harder than I thought.

"I'm making breakfast," I say, pulling away gently. "Pancakes?"

"You're perfect, you know that?" He slaps my ass as I walk past him.

Perfect idiot. She'll do anything I want.

I grip the kitchen counter so hard my knuckles went white. Breathe, Aria. Breathe. I inhale and exhale.

The pancakes sizzle in the pan. I make them exactly how he likes them, golden brown with chocolate chips. I even cut up strawberries and arrange them in a heart shape on his plate.

When I set it in front of him, he barely look up from his phone.

"Thanks, babe."

A click- I read his mind.

Need to text Marcus about the Henderson deal. Can't let anyone know I'm undercutting the price. If this works, I'll make eighty grand easy.

I froze with the spatula in my hand.

Henderson deal. Marcus. Fifty thousand dollars. This was it. This was exactly what I needed.

"What are you working on?" I asked innocently, sliding into the chair across from him.

"Just work stuff. Nothing you'd understand."

I read his mind again - She doesn't need to know about the business. Women are terrible with money anyway.

I bit my tongue and nodded. "You work so hard. I'm lucky to have you."

He finally looks up and grins. "Damn right you are."

I watch him eat my pancakes and scroll through his phone. Every few seconds, another thought would drift into my head.

"I need to meet Marcus at noon to discuss the details about the Henderson property. I need to make the documents real to make the sale look legitimate". He thinks

My boyfriend wasn't just a cheater. He was a fraud too.

Perfect! He says in his mind.

After breakfast, Evan left for the gym. The second the door closed, I grabbed my phone and called Lena.

"Hello?"

"Lena, it's me. Can you talk?"

"Aria? Girl, it's eight in the morning. What's wrong?"

"Everything, I need to see you today. It's urgent."

There was a pause. Then, "Come to my place, I'll make coffee."

I threw on jeans and a hoodie and caught a cab to Lena's apartment across town.

She lived in a small studio with plants hanging everywhere and art prints covering the walls. It smelled like lavender and coffee.

She opened the door in pajama pants and a tank top, her curly hair piled on top of her head.

"You look like hell," she said.

"Thanks."

She pulled me inside and shoved a mug of coffee in my hands.

"Talk."

So I did. Not everything, not about dying and coming back. But I told her about Evan. About the things he'd said. About what I'd discovered.

"He's cheating on you?" Lena's eyes went wide.

"Not yet, but he will. And he's stealing money, committing fraud."

"How do you know all this?"

I hesitated. "I just... I know, trust me."

Lena studied my face for a long moment. Then she nodded. "Okay. I trust you, What do you need?"

"Information, Connections, I need to know everything about Marcus Trent and the Henderson deal."

"Marcus Trent? The real estate guy?" She asks

"You know him?" I ask her too

"My cousin works at his firm. Let me make some calls." Lena answers and disappeared into her bedroom.

I paced around her tiny living room. My mind was racing.

If I could get proof of Evan's fraud, I will ruin him, not today, not tomorrow, but soon.

This is just the beginning.

Lena came back twenty minutes later with a notebook full of scribbles.

"Okay, so Marcus Trent is shady as hell. My cousin says he's been involved in at least three lawsuits for contract violations.

The Henderson deal is supposed to close next week, but there's rumors the paperwork is sketchy."

"What?" I exclaimed. What kind of sketchy?"

"Like forged signatures. Fake permits. The whole property might not even be legal to sell."

I felt a smile creep across my face. "Can your cousin get me copies of those documents?"

Lena raised an eyebrow. "What are you planning, Aria?"

"Justice."

She looks at me for a long time. Then she grins, "I'm in. Whatever you're doing, I'm in."

I hug her so tight I thought I might break her. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet. This is going to get messy." She says.

"Good. I like it messy." I added.

I left Lena's place with a plan forming in my head. Step one: get the documents. Step two: figure out how to use them without exposing myself. Step three: watch Evan squirm.

But first, I had to go back home and play the perfect girlfriend.

When I walk through the door, Evan sat on the couch watching football. He didn't even look at me.

"Where were you?"

"Just went for a walk. Needed some air."

A click- I read his mind- She's acting weird lately. Hope she's not getting suspicious.

I sat down next to him and rested my head on his shoulder. "I missed you."

He relaxed. There she is. My sweet, dumb Aria. He thinks.

I wanted to stab him with the remote.

Instead, I kissed his cheek. "Want me to order lunch?"

"Yeah, get Chinese. And make sure they don't forget the spring rolls this time."

"Of course, baby."

While he watched his game, I pulled out my phone and pretended to scroll through the delivery app. But really, I was texting Lena.

How fast can your cousin get those papers? I ask.

Tomorrow morning. Meet me at the coffee shop on 5th. She says.

Perfect.

I ordered the Chinese food and brought Evan a beer without him even asking. He patted my head like I was a dog.

She's so good at this. Maybe I'll keep her around even after I marry Emma. She could be useful. He thinks

My blood went cold.

Marry Emma!

So it was already decided. He is planning to leave me for her. He is just using me until the time was right.

I excuse myself to the bathroom and lock the door. My hands were shaking. I stare at myself in the mirror and barely recognize the girl looking back.

"She looks weak. Scared". I think.

"No. Not anymore". I whisper.

I splash cold water on my face and take a deep breath. When I walked back out, my smile was perfect.

The rest of the day dragged on. Evan went to meet Marcus at some bar downtown. He told me he was meeting a client. I told him I believe him.

A click- "She buys everything I say. This is too easy." He thinks.

The second he left, I grabbed my laptop and started digging.

Marcus Trent had a website, a LinkedIn, even a Facebook page.

He posted pictures of expensive cars and luxury vacations. Everything about him screamed fraud.

I found articles about the lawsuits Lena mentioned. One case involved a retired couple who lost their life savings on a property that didn't exist.

Another involved a small business that got evicted because of forged lease agreements.

This man was a predator. And Evan was working with him.

I saved every article, every photo, every piece of evidence I could find. Then I created a folder on my laptop and labeled it "Project Downfall."

It felt good.

Around midnight, Evan stumbled through the door drunk. He reeked of whiskey and cigars.

"Baaaabe," he slurred. "Come here."

He grabbed me and tried to kiss me. I dodged and helped him to the couch instead.

"Let me get you some water."

I brought him a glass of water and a bucket in case he threw up. Then I sat on the armchair across from him and watched.

A click- I read his mind.

She's so sweet. Taking care of me. Emma would never do this.

His thoughts are in a mess.

Fragments of conversations with Marcus.

Worries about getting caught. Excitement about the money.

And then, clear as day: After this deal, I'll have enough to propose to Emma. Aria won't suspect a thing.

I dug my nails into the armrest.

He passed out a few minutes later, snoring like a chainsaw. I grabbed a blanket and threw it over him.

Not because I cared, but because it's what the old Aria would have done.

I went to the bedroom and locked the door. Then I pulled out my phone and opened my notes app.

**Evan's Crimes:**

- Fraud (Henderson deal)

- Forgery

- Conspiracy with Marcus Trent

- Planning to leave me for Emma Lancaster

**Next Steps:**

- Get documents from Lena's cousin

- Find a way to expose him without getting caught

- Build my own network

- Make him fall harder so the crash hurts more

I stared at the list for a long time. Then I added one more line.

**- Destroy him completely.**

I set my phone down and climbed into bed. For the first time since I came back, I felt something other than fear.

I felt powerful.

Tomorrow, I'd meet Lena. Tomorrow, I'd get the proof I needed. And tomorrow, Evan Grayson would take his first step toward destruction.

He just didn't know it yet.

I closed my eyes and smiled in the dark.

The sound of my phone buzzing woke me up. I grabbed it off the nightstand, half asleep.

Unknown number.

I almost ignored it. But something made me answer.

"Hello?"

Silence.

Then, a voice, Deep, Smooth, Unfamiliar.

"Aria Sinclair. I've been waiting for you to wake up."

My heart stopped. "Who is this?"

"Someone who knows what you can do. And I think we should meet."

The line went dead.

I sat up in bed, my pulse racing. The clock said 3:47am. Evan was still passed out on the couch.

Who the hell was that?

And how did they know my name?

I didn't sleep after that call. How could I?

I keep staring at the ceiling, watching the shadows move across the room. My mind kept replaying that voice. Deep, Calm and Knowing.

*Someone who knows what you can do.*

What did I do? Read minds? Come back from the dead? What else was there?

The sun started creeping through the curtains. I heard Evan groan from the living room, then footsteps shuffling toward the bathroom. The shower turned on.

I stayed in bed, pretending to be asleep.

Evan comes into the bedroom, dripping wet with just a towel around his waist. He grabs his clothes from the closet and got dressed fast. Too fast, like he was in a hurry.

A click- It's morning already and the night seemed so short.

He glanced at me on the bed. I kept my eyes closed, my breathing steady.

A click- Where's this donkey brain? I hope she doesn't catch Emma and I. She'll be mad at me but what can she do? She told me she was going to see Lena and hasn't returned since then.

Wait. What?

I kept my eyes shut, my body still. He thought I wasn't home? That I stayed at Lena's?

"Aria? Aria?" he called out softly.

A click- Donkey brain? Empty skull?

I wanted to jump up and slap him. But I stayed frozen.

He shruggs and leaves the room. I heard him grab his keys, his phone.

The front door opened and closed.

I sat up fast and looked around. The apartment was empty. Silent.

I grabbed my phone. It was 6:30 in the morning. Where the hell was he going this early?

I jump out of bed and throw on jean and a hoodie. No makeup, no shoes, just socks. I ran to the door and yanked it open.

Evan was already at the elevator, his back to me. The doors opened. He stepped inside.

I run down the hallway, my heart pounding. I made it just as the elevator doors are closing.

"Wait!" I shouted.

But the doors shut.

Dammit.

I press the button frantically, waiting for the next elevator. It felt like forever. When it finally came, I jumped in and hit the lobby button five times.

The elevator crawled down. I tapped my foot, my pulse racing. When the doors opened, I ran out into the lobby.

Evan was just walking out the front door.

I follow him, staying far enough back that he wouldn't notice. He walked fast, his hands in his pockets, his head down.

He turns the corner and flags down a cab. I watched him get in.

Shit. How was I supposed to follow him now?

Another cab pulled up. I run to it and jump in the back.

"Follow that cab!" I say, pointing.

The driver looked at me like I was crazy. "You serious?"

"Yes! Please, just go!"

He shrugs and pulls out into traffic.

We followed Evan's cab through the city. My heart was pounding. My hands were shaking. Where is he going?

After fifteen minutes, his cab stopped in front of a tall apartment building. Expensive, modern, glass and steel everywhere.

Evan got out and paid the driver. Then he walked inside like he owned the place.

I paid my driver and got out, keeping my distance. I watch through the glass doors as Evan steps into the elevator.

I walked inside slowly. The lobby was huge, with marble floors and a fancy chandelier. A security guard sits at a desk, watching monitors.

I walked past him, expecting him to stop me.

He didn't even look up.

Weird.

I got to the elevator and pressed the button. The doors open, I step inside and watch the floor numbers light up on the panel. Evan's elevator had stopped on the tenth floor.

I pressed ten.

The elevator rose. My stomach twisted. What was I going to find up there?

The doors open, I step out into a long hallway with cream-colored walls and soft lighting. I hear voices coming from one of the apartments.

I follow the sound. It was coming from apartment 10C. The door is slightly open.

I creep closer and peek through the crack.

My heart stopped.

Evan was inside. And he wasn't alone.

Emma Lancaster was there. In a silk robe. Her hair was messy and her lips red.

They were standing close. Too close.

A click- I read his mind.

He puts his hand across Emma. Sweetheart, wake up.

Wait. Wake up? She was already awake.

I looked closer. There was a bed in the background. The sheets were rumpled. Two pillows.

Oh my god.

They slept together here last night.

I felt my chest tighten. My hands clenched into fists.

Emma smiled at him. "Good morning."

She stretched and sat on the edge of the bed, resting her back against the pillows.

"Can I get some tea?" she asked.

A click- Real men present a tray of tea on the table before a woman wakes up. She thinks.

I wanted to scream. Evan had never done that for me. Not once. I'd always made him breakfast, brought him coffee, done everything.

And now he was serving her?

Evan rushed to the kitchen. I heard cabinets opening, water running. He came back a minute later with a tray. Tea. Biscuits. Even a small flower in a vase.

He set it down on the bed like she was a queen.

Emma giggled. "You're so sweet."

A click- She's everything Aria isn't. Classy. Elegant and worth my time.

I couldn't breathe.

Evan kissed her forehead and went to the bathroom. I heard the shower turn on again.

Emma picked up her phone and started scrolling. She took a sip of the tea and smiled to herself.

A click- He's so easy to control. A few smiles and he does whatever I want. Pathetic.

I froze.

She was using him too?

This was insane.

I wanted to burst in there. I wanted to scream at both of them. But I couldn't move. I just stood there, watching.

Evan comes out of the bathroom, fully dressed. Suit and Tie. He looks like he was ready for a meeting.

"I have to go to the office now," he said. "I'll call you later."

"Okay, baby." Emma blew him a kiss.

He leaves the apartment, walking right past me.

I pressed myself against the wall, holding my breath.

But he didn't see me.

He walked straight to the elevator, humming to himself.

Wait.

He didn't see me?

I look down at my hands. They are there. My body is there. But Evan looked right through me.

What the hell?

I waved my hand in front of my face. Nothing. I am here, but I am not.

I was invisible.

Oh my god.

First, I could read minds. Now I could disappear?

What was happening to me?

I didn't have time to think about it. Evan was getting on the elevator. I ran and slipped in just before the doors closed.

He stood right next to me, checking his phone.

A click- These guys need to hurry up with this thing before it begins to attract neighbors. He thinks.

He made a call. "You guys need to hurry. Yes, tonight."

He hung up and sighed.

The elevator reached the lobby. Evan walked out and got into another cab.

I followed him again.

This time, we ended up at his office building downtown; Sleek and Tall. The kind of place that screams money.

Evan walks inside. I stay close behind him.

The receptionist smiles at him. "Good morning, Mr. Grayson."

"Morning, Janet."

He walks past her and headed to his private office on the twentieth floor.

I follow him inside. He shuts the door behind him.

I stand at the corner, watching.

He sits at his desk and pulls out a file; Big, Thick and Official-looking.

I move closer, leaning over his shoulder.

The file had "Henderson Property - $80,000,000" printed on the front.

My eyes went wide.

Eighty million dollars? What the hell was this?

I needed a copy of this.

Evan opened the file and started reading through the pages. Contracts, Permits and Signatures. He nods his head.

I grabbed my phone from my pocket and started snapping pictures. Every page, Every signature; Everything.

Evan didn't notice. He couldn't see me.

When I finished, I looked at the file again. I needed to take it but how?

I reached out slowly and grabbed the file off his desk.

Evan frowned.

A click- In his mind-

What the hell? Where did it go?

He looks around, confused. His eyes scans the desk, the floor, everywhere.

I held the file tight and moved to the corner of the room. My heart was pounding.

I opened the file again and took out half the pages. Then I grabbed a pen from his desk and started tearing the remaining pages into tiny pieces.

Rip. Rip. Rip.

Evan stands up.

A click- I swear I just had that file. Am I losing my mind?

I placed the shredded pieces back on his desk in a neat pile.

Then I sat down in the chair opposite his desk, still invisible, and crossed my legs.

A few seconds later, Evan turned around.

His eyes fell on the shredded paper.

"What?" he screamed. "Olivia!"

A woman rushed in. Young and Nervous; probably his assistant.

"Yes, boss?"

"Why did you fucking do this?" He pointed at the shreds, his face red with anger.

"I... I don't... I didn't do this. I don't know what you're talking about, sir." Her voice shook.

"You brought this file in this morning and now you suddenly shredded it to pieces? How dare you?"

"I swear, I didn't-"

"I'm about to attend a meeting to present the content of this file. I need to submit our company's proposal, but look what you've done!"

"Sir, please, I didn't-"

"This is a very wicked act and I won't tolerate this. You're fired! Get out of here!"

Olivia's eyes filled with tears. "Sir, please-"

"Get out!"

She runs out of the office, sobbing.

I felt a little bad but not that bad.

Evan slumps into his chair, holding his head.

A click- What the hell is happening? This deal is everything. If I lose this, I'm done. He screams in his mind.

Good. Let him suffer.

I stood up and focused. I want to be seen now, I wanted him to know.

Slowly, I feel the air shift around me. My body becomes solid again - Visible.

I knock on the door frame.

Evan looked up, startled.

"Hi, Evan. How are you? Is anything the matter?" I asked sweetly, walking in and sitting where I'd been moments before. This time, he could see me.

"Oh, hi, Aria. Good morning." He forced a smile. "Nothing is wrong. I was only searching for a file, but I'll find it soon."

A click- What the hell is she doing here? She just likes to stalk me every time. Doesn't she get it straight that I don't love her anymore? Gosh. He detests her in his mind.

I smiled and stood up. "I only came to say hello."

"You didn't sleep home last night," he said, trying to divert my attention.

"Yes. I came in this morning and didn't find you at home. I knew you'd be busy with work, so I decided to sleep over at Lena's place."

"Oh yeah, I was damn busy. It's fine."

I glanced at the shredded paper on his desk. "So the file you're looking for?"

"What about it?" he asked.

I pulled the half of the file I'd taken from my bag. The pages I hadn't shredded.

His eyes went wide.

"How would you feel if I told you I have it?" I said, holding it up.

"What?" He jumped to his feet. "Aria, give that back. Now."

"Why? It's just paper, right?"

"That's an eighty-million-dollar contract! Please, Aria, don't do this."

I smiled. "You know, Evan, revenge can be very sweet. Isn't it?"

His face went pale. "What are you talking about?"

I didn't answer. I just stared at him, the file in my hand, and watched him squirm.

"Aria, please. This isn't funny."

"Who said I was joking?"

For the first time since I came back, I see fear in his eyes.

And it felt amazing....

"Aria, please." Evan's voice shook. "You don't understand what you're doing."

I stand there, holding the file like it was a weapon. Because it was.

"Oh, I think I understand perfectly," I said calmly.

He steps closer, his hands trembling. "That file is everything. If I don't present it at the meeting today, I'll lose the contract. I'll lose everything."

A click- In his mind.

How did she even get this? She's ruining everything. I need it back. Now.

"Everything?" I repeated. "That's a strong word."

"Aria, please. I'm begging you." His eyes were desperate. "Just give it back. I'll do anything."

Anything.

I tilted my head, pretending to think about it. "Okay. I have one condition."

"Name it."

"Hire Olivia back."

He blinked. "What?"

"You heard me. Call her right now and tell her she still has her job. Apologize for what you said."

A click- Is she serious? Over that? Fine. Whatever. I'll fire her again next week.

"That's it?" he asked. "That's all you want?"

"That's all I want."

He grabs his phone and dials. I watched him, my face blank.

"Olivia? Hi, it's Evan Grayson." His voice was smooth now, professional. "I'm calling to apologize for earlier. I was under a lot of stress and I took it out on you. That was wrong. Your job is safe. Come back tomorrow."

I could hear her crying on the other end. Thanking him. Telling him she wouldn't let him down.

He hangs up and looks at me. "Done. Now give me the file."

I stood up and handed it to him.

He grabs it like it was oxygen. His whole body relaxed.

"Thank you," he breathed. "Thank you, Aria. I love you so much. You have no idea what this means to me."

He pulls me into a hug, pressing his face against my hair.

A click- Stupid girl. Causing all this drama over nothing. I need to speed up this deal. The sooner I close it, the sooner I can leave her and marry Emma. I'm so sick of pretending.

I hugged him back, my face expressionless.

"I love you too," I whispered.

He kisses my forehead. "You're the best thing that ever happened to me."

A click- Can't wait to be done with this. Emma's waiting for me tonight. Now I can finally focus on what matters.

I pull away and smile at him. "I should go. You have a meeting to prepare for."

"Right. Yeah." He ran his hand through his hair. "Thanks again, babe. Really."

"Anytime."

I turn and walk out of his office. My hands were steady. My heart was calm.

But inside, I was screaming.

I took the elevator down to the lobby. The doors opened and I stepped out into the bright sunlight. I need air. I needed space.

I started walking, no destination in mind. Just moving.

That's when I saw her.

"Aria?"

I stopped dead in my tracks.

Aunty Dora.

She was standing on the corner, holding a shopping bag, her face lighting up when she saw me.

"Aunty?" I breathed.

"Oh my goodness!" She rushed over and pulled me into a hug. "I haven't seen you since the last time we met! Where have you been hiding?"

I hugged her back, stunned. My mind was racing.

In my first life, she'd been there for me. Always checking in. Always worried.

And then she disappeared.

"I've been busy," I said, pulling back to look at her. "Work and... everything."

"Too busy for your favorite aunt?" She smiled, but there was something in her eyes. Worry? Fear?

"Never too busy for you. How have you been?"

She glanced at her watch, then at the shopping bag in her hand. "I have a little time before my next appointment. There's a park just around the corner. Want to sit for a bit? Catch up properly?"

"I'd love that."

We walked together to a small park tucked between two office buildings. It was quiet, with benches arranged around a fountain. Pigeons scattered as we approached.

Aunty Dora sits down with a sigh, placing her shopping bag beside her. I sit next to her, studying her face. She looked tired. More tired than I remembered.

"So," she said, turning to me with a warm smile. "Tell me everything. How's work? How's that boyfriend of yours? Edwin? Ethan?"

"Evan," I corrected.

"Right, Evan. Are you two still together?"

I hope you are happy. She deserves someone good after everything she's been through.

"Yeah, we're still together."

She reached over and squeezed my hand. "Good. You look happy. That's all that matters."

If only she knew.

"What about you?" I asked. "You said you've been busy with paperwork?"

Her smile faded slightly. "Oh, yes. It's been... complicated. Your cousin, you know, after her husband passed, there's been so much to sort out. The estate, the properties. It's a mess."

"That sounds stressful."

"It is. But we're managing." She paused. "The lawyers have been helpful, though. They've been guiding us through everything step by step."

My stomach tightened. "The lawyers from Trent and Associates?"

"Yes, exactly. How did you know?"

"You mentioned them earlier," I said carefully. "What kind of things are they helping with?"

"Mostly documents. Signatures. They need proof of ownership, transfer papers, all sorts of legal things I don't really understand." She laughed softly. "I just sign where they tell me to sign."

My blood ran cold.

"Aunty, listen," I started, leaning forward. "About those documents-"

Her phone rang.

Yes.... yes..... ok. She said as pulled it out of her purse and glanced at the screen. Her face changed. The warmth disappeared, replaced by something else- Anxiety?

"I'm sorry, sweetheart, I need to take this." She stands up, walking a few steps away. "Hello? Yes, this is Dora Sinclair."

I watch her. She was nodding, her free hand fidgeting with the strap of her purse.

"I understand. Yes. No, I can be there in twenty minutes." Another pause. "No, no problem at all. I'll bring everything you asked for. Yes. Okay. Thank you."

She hangs up and turnes back to me, her smile forced now.

"I'm so sorry, Aria. That was the lawyer's office. They need me to come in right away to sign some more papers. Apparently, there's a deadline."

"Right now?" I asked.

"Yes. I'm really sorry. We were just starting to catch up."

I stand up, my mind racing. "Aunty, about those papers. Please, just be careful what you sign. Read everything thoroughly."

She looks at me, confused. "Of course, dear. I always do."

Don't worry.

Why is she so worried? It's just paperwork.

"Promise me you'll read everything," I pressed.

"I promise." She hugged me quickly. "Let's have lunch soon, okay? A proper catch-up. And we'll plan something wonderful for my birthday."

"Yes. Let's do that."

She grabs her shopping bag and hurried off, her heels clicking against the pavement.

I stand there, watching her disappear around the corner.

Something is wrong. I could feel it in my bones.

I pull out my phone and called Lena.

"Hey, what's up?"

"I need to see you. Right now. It's urgent."

"Again? Aria, what's going on?"

"I can't explain over the phone. Can you meet me at your place?"

"Yeah, I'm home. Come over."

I caught a cab and sat in the back seat, my leg bouncing nervously. The city blurred past the window, but all I could think about was Aunty Dora. The worry in her eyes. The way she'd rushed off to sign more papers.

Twenty minutes later, I was at Lena's door. She opened it before I could knock.

"Okay, you look like you've seen a ghost. What happened?"

I push past her and started pacing. "I just saw my aunt. Aunty Dora."

"Okay? That's good, right?"

"She's working with Marcus Trent."

Lena's eyes went wide. "What?"

"She said she's handling property documents for my cousin's late husband's estate. She mentioned permits, signatures, lawyers. And she said the firm is Trent and Associates."

"Shit."

"Lena, I just realized something. Aunty Dora's birthday is in three weeks. In my first life, she went missing right before her birthday. I remember because we were planning a surprise party for her and she just... vanished. We never found her."

Lena's face went pale. "And now she's working with Marcus Trent?"

"Exactly. I never understood what happened back then. But now, with everything I know about Evan and Marcus... what if it wasn't random? What if they had something to do with it?"

"Oh my god."

"We need to look into this. Now. We need to find out if there's a connection."

Lena grabbed her laptop. "Okay. Let's start digging."

We spent the next two hours searching everything we could find. Marcus Trent's business records. Court documents. News articles.

And then Lena found something.

"Aria. Look at this."

She turned the laptop toward me. It was a scanned document. A property deed.

For land that belonged to my cousin's late husband.

But the signature at the bottom wasn't his.

It was forged.

And underneath the forged signature, in tiny print, was the name of the company that processed it.

Grayson Enterprises.

Evan's company.

My hands started shaking.

"Keep looking," I whispered.

Lena clicked through more files. More documents. More properties.

And then she gasped.

"Oh my god."

"What? What is it?"

She turned the screen toward me again.

It was a list of names. People who'd worked with Trent and Associates. People who'd signed over properties.

And at the bottom of the list, in red, was a note.

Uncooperative clients - pending resolution.

There were five names.

The third name on the list was Dora Sinclair.

My aunt.

I stared at the screen, my heart pounding so hard I thought it would explode.

The room spun around me.

"Aria?" Lena's voice sounded far away. "Are you okay?"

I couldn't answer.

I couldn't breathe.

My aunt's name was on that list.

*Pending resolution.*

What did that mean?